Samsung Introduces The GALAXY S 4
Samsung today took the wraps off the fourth generation GALAXY S, the GALAXY S 4, which comes with new features in both hardware and software.
Starting with the hardware, the GS 4 is 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 inch) and weighs 130g (4.59 ounces). Its chassis is actually 0.8mm skinnier, 0.7mm thinner and 3g lighter than its predecessor.
The phone is powered by a 2,600mAh battery and
has a 5-inch 1080p (1,920 x 1,080) Super AMOLED panel which offers a pixel density of 441 ppi and the ability to use your gloves at the same time. It also utilizes Corning's new Gorilla Glass 3, making it a durable travel companions.
Inside, it packs 2GB RAM and will come with either a 1.6GHz Exynos Octa-core chip or a 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm, depending on your region. It will also come with Android 4.2.2 on-board when it launches.
Before continuing with the Galaxy S4's features, let's remind you some information about Samsung's new Exynos 5 Octa application processor. The SoC is scheduled for mass-production in the second quarter of 2013. It features an eight-core ARM big.LITTLE architecture based on the Cortex-A15 CPU, technology built for efficient handling of multitasking abilities for high-end mobile devices today.
By housing a total of eight cores to draw from—four powerful Cortex-A15 cores for processing-intense tasks along with Cortex-A7 quad cores for lighter workloads—the Exynos 5 Octa enables mobile devices to achieve maximum performance. This approach offers up to 70 percent energy saving when performing various tasks, compared to using Cortex-A15 cores only.
The newest Exynos processor will be manufactured using Samsung’s latest 28-nanometer (nm) HKMG (High-k Metal Gate) low power process and power-saving design.
Samsung claims that the Exynos 5 Octa enhances the powerful 3D graphics processing capabilities by more than two-times over the Exynos 4 Quad. It is powerful enough to drive WQXGA (2560x1600) display and adopts e-MMC (embedded multimedia card) 5.0 and USB 3.0 interface.
Samsung Exynos 5 Octa incorporates a full HD 60fps (frame per second) video hardware codec engine for 1080p video recording and play-back, an embedded 13 mega-pixel 30fps image signal processor interface for high-quality camera functionality, and 12.8GB/s memory bandwidth interface that enables Full HD Wifi display.
Continuing with the GALAXY S 4, it is equipped with a 13 megapixel rear camera and also boasts a 'Dual Camera' function that allows simultaneous use ofboth front and rear cameras. When capturing moments, users can choose from a variety of frame effects which blend the two pictures and also adjust the size of the small picture inside the big one. Users can select 8 different ways to combine the two photos taken by the front camera and the rear camera. At the same time, the 'Dual Video Call' function enables you to make and receive a video call with friends and family while showing what you are looking at during the call.
The camera functionality extends beyond Dual Camera, as the device is also equipped with 12 shooting modes including 'Drama Shot', which allows you to see all the action in one continuous time-lapse (100 shots), and 'Sound & Shot', which stores sound and voice together as the picture is taken. There's also an Eraser function, which erases anybody who walks through the shot.
These moments can also now automatically be stored in a photo album, with the new 'Story Album' function. Photos taken by the GALAXY S 4 are automatically gathered and sorted out according to your timeline, geo-tagging information, or a specific event to create a photo album. These story albums can be ordered and delivered as an offline photo album through a new partnership with Blurb, so you can keep those moments safe to look at and share time and time again.
With its 'Group Play' function, users can enjoy music, photos, documents and games with those around them without even requiring a Wi-Fi AP or cellular signal. This feature enables users to connect directly with others to share, play and co-create content and entertainment instantly. Its 'Share Music' option allows users to have the same song playing on multiple phones in sync to create a party atmosphere. You can even create an 5.1 surround system on multiple phones, with discrete channels. Group Play also supports multiplayer games and you can share photos easily across phones, too.
Samsung Hub will provide a single entry for Samsung's five content services, making it convenient to use. You can browse through a variety of content across services, as well as purchase and manage content easily, from a single Samsung Account. Samsung Hub features an integrated search -- when you browse a keyword, the results will show related content from all of the five services at once.
The GALAXY S 4 brings all people closer together by breaking down language barriers. The 'S Translator' provides instant translation, using text or voice translation on applications including email, text message and ChatON. This instant translation is possible both from speech to text and text to speech. Supported languages inlcude French, German, English (US and UK), Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Portuguese.
The GALAXY S 4 supports HSPA+42 Mbps and 4G LTE. Especially, the LTE version supports up to 6 different band sets which allows it to
function in most LTE coverage areas as well as enabling global LTE roaming. Furthermore, TDD/FDD LTE Dual Mode version will be introduced later this year.
The GALAXY S 4 also ensures that tasks are effortless with features that detect your face, voice and motions to enable screen control with no need for finger touch activation.
HTC One |
iPhone 5 |
Galaxy S4 |
Galaxy S3 |
|
Price | $200 |
$200 |
TBA |
$200/$300 (with contract) |
OS | Android 4.1.2 |
iSO 6.1.2 |
Android 4.2.2 Touchwiz UX/US |
Android 4.0.1 Touchwiz UX/US |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 1.7GHz |
1.3GHz Dual-core A6X |
1.6 GHz Exynos 5 (Eight-core) / 1.9GHz Qualcomm (quad-core) |
Exynos 4412 (Quad-core) |
RAM | 2GB LPDDR2 |
1GB LPDDR2 |
2GB LPDDR3 |
2GB LPDDR2 |
Display | 4.7-inch SLCD3 |
4.0-inch Retina Display |
5″ Full HD Super AMOLED |
4.8″ Super AMOLED |
Resolution | 1920x1080p 441 ppi |
1136×640 pixels |
1920x1080p 441 ppi |
1280×720 pixels 306 ppi |
Dimensions (WxDxH) | 137.4mm x 68.2mm x 4mm - 9.3mm |
123.8mm x 58.6mm x 7.6mm |
136.6mm x 69.8mm x 7.9mm |
136.6mm x 70.6mm 8.6mm |
Weight | 143g |
112g |
130g |
133g |
Connectivity | 802.11ac/a/b/g/n + BT 4.0, USB2.0, GPS/GNSS, MHL, DLNA, NFC |
802.11a/b/g/n, BT 4.0, USB 2.0, GPS/GNSS |
802.11a/b/g/n/ac (HT80) + BT 4.0, USB 2.0 NFC, GPS/GNSS, IR LED, MHL 2.0 |
802.11a/b/g/n, BT 4.0, USB 2.0, NFC, GPS/GNSS, MHL |
Rear-facing camera | 4 megapixels w/ 2µm pixels |
8 megapixels |
13 megapixels |
8 megapixels |
Front-facing camera | 2.1 megapixels |
1.2 megapixels |
2 megapixels |
1.9 megapixels |
Video capabilities | 1080p recording |
1080p recording |
1080p |
1080p recording |
Internal storage | 32/64GB |
16/32/64GB |
16/32/64GB |
16/32GB |
SD card slot | No |
No |
Yes |
Yes (up to 64GB) |
Battery size | 2300 mAh |
1440 mAh |
2600mAh |
2100mAh |
'Samsung Smart Pause' enables you to control the screen by where you look. When you are watching a video, the video pauses when you look away then it starts right up again when you are back. 'Samsung Smart Scroll' allows you to scroll the browser or emails up and down without touching the screen. It recognizes movement of your wrist and then scroll the pages up or down accordingly. That feature falls slightly short of what some consumers may have expected since the phone will not be able to scroll automatically by tracking readers' eyes.
'Air View' allows users to hover with their fingers to preview the content of an email, S Planner, image gallery or video without having to open it. You can even see a magnified view on the internet browser, or a phone number saved in the speed dial on the keypad. Hovering over a thumbnail of a picture in the Gallery will reveal a bigger thumbnail, and hovering over one email in a list will show a preview of its first lines. On the S 4, the "Email" app will show previews, but the "Gmail" app won't. The built-in "gallery" app will show picture previews, but other photo apps won't.
With 'Air Gesture', you can change the music track, scroll up and down a web page, or accept a call with a wave of your hand. In the browser, you can command the screen to scroll up by swiping from top to bottom a few inches from the phone.
With 'S Voice Drive' you can activate commands via voice control for optimization when driving. Once connected with a car Bluetooth, the phone automatically turns into driving mode converting text to speech so you can easily and safely check messages with no need to look at the screen.
'Samsung Optical Reader' makes life yet more effortless, by automatically recognizing text, a business card or QR code information, and providing useful functions such as translation, call, text message and search.
At home, using 'Samsung WatchON', the GALAXY S 4 will transform into an IR remote to control your home entertainment system including TV, set-top box, DVD player and even air conditioner. In addition, you can enjoy various content including live TV, cable TV and VOD based on the information provided by EPG (Electronic Program Guide).
The GALAXY S 4 also empowers your life by keeping you up-to-date with health and wellbeing information using the new 'S Health' software. The combination of sensors built within the device systematically and automatically monitors your health, surroundings and so much more. Also, users can easily check their health conditions using food diary, exercise diary and sleep monitor to stay fit and healthy.
To further protect your wellbeing, 'Samsung Adapt Display' provides an optimal viewing experience, customized for each type of application, and 'Samsung Adapt Sound' offers an optimal level and type of sound, personalized for each user.
The GALAXY S 4 is also the first device to preload Visa’s payWave function into the embedded secure element, which can be used by both MNOs and banks; more payment applets from multiple brands are planned to be preloaded into the embedded secure element in the coming months. NFC payments will be commercially available on the GALAXY S 4 on a global basis using the embedded secure element, in addition to using the SIM-based secure element.
Samsung GALAXY S 4 will be available on 327 mobile operators and 155 countries, starting the end of April. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, as well as US Cellular and Cricket will be offering the new smartphone in the U.S. In Europe, Samsung GALAXY S 4 is partnering with global mobile operators such as Deutsche Telecom, EE, H3G, Orange, Telenor, Telia Sonera, Telefonica, and Vodafone. Samsung didn't say what the phone will cost, but it can be expected to start at $200 with a two-year contract in the U.S. That's comparable to the iPhone 5.
Specifications
Network |
2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE): 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz 3G (HSPA+ 42Mbps): 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz 4G (LTE Cat 3 100/50Mbps) : up to 6 different band sets(Dependent on market) |
---|---|
Display |
5 inch Full HD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080) display, 441 ppi |
AP |
1.9 GHz Quad-Core Processor / 1.6 GHz Octa-Core Processor The selection of AP will be differed by markets. |
OS |
Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) |
Camera |
Main(Rear): 13 Mega pixel Auto Focus camera with Flash & Zero Shutter Lag, BIS Sub (Front): 2 Mega pixel camera, Full HD recording @30fps with Zero Shutter Lag, BIS |
Video |
Codec: MPEG4, H.264, H.263, DivX, DivX3.11, VC-1, VP8, WMV7/8, Sorenson Spark, HEVC Recording & Playback: Full HD (1080p) |
Audio |
Codec: MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AC-3, apt-X |
Camera Features |
Dual Camera: Dual Shot / Dual Recording/ Dual Video Call Drama Shot, Sound & Shot, 360 Photo, Cinema Photo, Eraser, Night, Best Photo, Best Face Beauty Face, HDR (High Dynamic Range), Panorama, Sports |
Additional Features |
Group Play: Share Music, Share Picture, Share Document, Play Games |
Story Album, S Translator, Optical Reader |
|
Samsung Smart Scroll, Samsung Smart Pause, Air Gesture, Air View, |
|
Samsung Hub, ChatON (Voice/Video Call, Share screen, 3-way calling) Samsung WatchON |
|
S Travel (Trip Advisor), S Voice™ Drive, S Health |
|
Samsung Adapt Display, Samsung Adapt Sound Auto adjust touch sensitivity (Glove friendly) |
|
Safety Assistance, Samsung Link, Screen Mirroring |
|
Samsung KNOX (B2B only) |
|
Google Mobile Services |
Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude Google Play Store, Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads, Voice Search |
Connectivity |
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (HT80) GPS / GLONASS NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 (LE) IR LED (Remote Control), MHL 2.0 |
Sensor |
Accelerometer, RGB light, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer Temperature & Humidity, Gesture |
Memory |
16/ 32/ 64 GB User memory + microSD slot (up to 64GB) 2GB RAM |
Dimension |
136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm, 130g |
Battery |
2,600 mAh |